Xavier University Collegiate Unit

“BLACK HISTORY AT ITS FINEST”

PICTURED ABOVE: New Initiates pose with several current KPC Members after being initiated on Sunday, January 14, 2018 and Sunday, February 4, 2018.

Bro. Timothy Ambrose, Jr. is a Political Science Junior at Xavier University of Louisiana. He along with 12 other students, and the Xavier University President, Bro. Dr. C. Reynold Verret, were recently initiated into our Noble Order. The new members will soon join other students, faculty, staff, and administrators who are already members as well as several soon-to-be initiated prospects in establishing the first official Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary Collegiate Unit at Xavier University!

Most Worthy James K. Ellis, Supreme Knight; Most Esteemed Vertelle A. Kenion, Supreme Lady; and the Emerging Leaders Committee Chairs, E. Desmond Taylor and Arletta Chambers, have been working diligently to lead the way in turning this vision into a reality. With the assistance of local Clavers, they have engaged in meetings with Xavier University administrators, set up information tables, held a formal on-campus informational, turned out for Xavier University’s Homecoming Mass, and communicated with students through emails and a digital and print recruitment brochure specifically targeting potential members for collegiate units. The efforts to ensure Xavier University’s buy-in and to recruit members greatly paid off!

PICTURED ABOVE: Third and Fourth Degree Knights and Ladies turn out for Xavier's Homecoming Mass on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Information about the Collegiate Unit was distributed and students signed up to join or get more information.

“I felt like this was Black history at its finest. It’s never too late to create timestamps and become pioneers of something that will change lives. It felt like the dawn of a new era.” Bro. Ambrose said when asked how he felt about being initiated.

PICTURED ABOVE: Members accept a generous donation in support of the Collegiate Unit from Lady Courtney Andrews.

And pioneers they have been. With the authorization granted by the National Council and Court Boards and National Convention, the first initiation was held on January 14, 2018. The collegiate members then eagerly took charge. In a matter of weeks, the members met with and petitioned the President’s office for meeting space, voiced their interests and concerns regarding faith on campus, sponsored Mass at the university chapel, set up informational and interest tables to recruit additional members, created a social media presence, and scheduled and participated in a subsequent initiation - bringing in new members they recruited. They have already identified several more prospects for initiation.

PICTURED ABOVE: Local Ladies provide refreshments after the KPC/LA sponsored mass at Xavier University on Sunday, November 5, 2018.

Collegiate units afford our young people the opportunity to worship, serve, lead, and fellowship with other like-minded Catholics in a world in which they otherwise often feel isolated and in the minority. The concept addresses major concerns and strengthens weaknesses not only in our Order, but the Church and communities in which we serve as well. We are all too aware of the gap between membership in our Junior and Senior Divisions, as well as the call of the Church and community to address issues of faith, service, and opportunities for young adults.

PICTURED ABOVE: Students take advantage of one of many sign-up opportunities to join the Collegiate Unit.

Lady Sarah Bertrand, a newly initiated Biology Pre-Med Junior, expressed this when asked about the value of having a collegiate unit, "Before the Knights of Peter Claver came to campus, there was a lack of connection among the Catholic students on campus. I was searching for a group of people with whom I could share the faith, attend mass, and strive for holiness. I am so glad to have found this community through the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver."

PICTURED ABOVE: The Fourth Degree Honor Guard at the Xavier University Homecoming Mass.

Bro. Lester Brown, a Xavier University Junior majoring in Sociology and minoring in Theology, has been dutifully working to recruit new members for the Collegiate Unit. He says that he chose KPC to uplift and strengthen the faith of young Black men and women of the Catholic faith, “I chose KPC because of the silent yet visible request from God to serve Him and His people, which I promised at my Baptism.”

PICTURED ABOVE: Several National Officers pose with other Fourth Degree Knights at the KPC/LA sponsored reception following Xavier's Homecoming Mass.

“We are truly excited about what this new energy, passion, and desire to serve will bring to our Noble Order. All who have met with and been in the presence of these outstanding new members have had their commitment to Claverism reignited and reinvigorated. This is our future!” said Most Worthy James K. Ellis, Supreme Knight and CEO.

PICTURED ABOVE: Newly initiated Knights sponsored mass immediately following their initiation. The brothers served as lectors, ushers, and provided refreshments after the service.

Most Esteemed Vertelle A. Kenion agreed and added, “the Bible states that a child will lead them. We are so blessed to have these young and capable adults help lead Claverism and our Church during these times of change and transformation!”

PICTURED ABOVE: Newly initiated Knights pose for a picture with several other brothers.

Once the requisite number of Knights and Ladies join or are initiated as obligated members, the formal council and court establishments will take place. The current Knights and Ladies on Xavier’s campus continue their efforts to recruit quality members and remain active in serving in ministries, assisting fellow students, and serving the greater community. The formal establishment is on target to take place before the end of the Spring Semester 2018.

Because this prototype will become a National Model, the National Office worked closely with the Emerging Leaders and Xavier University representatives to most effectively plan, execute, and evaluate the Collegiate Unit concept so that it fit into the academic and social world of our young members. With the successful implementation of the Xavier Unit assured, our national expansion of the program will soon follow - working closely with each District or State Deputy to effectively answer our call to provide opportunities to young adults.